PVV member who made AI images of Timmermans appears to keep his seat

PVV MP Maikel Boon appears poised to retain his seat, despite the controversy surrounding AI images he allegedly took of Frans Timmermans (GroenLinks-PvdA). According to the Ipsos I&O exit poll , the PVV will win 25 seats, meaning Boon, number 23 on the list, will remain in the House of Representatives.

Boon received negative publicity this week after it emerged that he, along with fellow party member Patrick Crijns, was involved in creating and distributing racist and defamatory fake images. The affair caused widespread outrage, both within and outside the political arena.

The manipulated images showed, among other things, caricatures of Muslims and people of immigrant background threatening white Dutch people. An AI image also circulated showing Frans Timmermans being led away in handcuffs by police.

Timmermans had had enough. He filed a complaint, calling the images "deliberate slander and character assassination." Following an election campaign, he decided to resign as party leader on Wednesday evening.

Timmermans finds Wilders' apology for AI images insufficient: 'Those PVV members no longer belong in the House of Representatives'

Despite the uproar, PVV leader Geert Wilders decided not to punish the two party members. "I told Boon and Crijns they have nothing to fear," he stated earlier. He did, however, apologize to Timmermans, something he rarely does. "I felt this shouldn't have happened," Wilders said.

Patrick Crijns, who is in 34th place on the candidate list, has no chance of winning a seat in Parliament. Boon, on the other hand, seems assured of a place in the new House of Representatives, with his 23rd place.

The controversy surrounding the AI ​​images partially overshadowed election night. While other parties celebrated their results in party halls, Wilders spoke to journalists in the House of Representatives building. According to him, the uproar had no impact on the outcome. "I campaigned well," he said. "Perhaps not as extreme as in previous elections, but I explained sufficiently why the previous cabinet was unsuccessful. That's not the problem."

It was striking that Wilders spoke respectfully about his departing political opponent. "I have nothing but respect for his decision," he said of Timmermans' departure. Yet he made it clear that he himself has no intention of quitting anytime soon. "You won't be rid of me until I'm 80," he joked. "Timmermans once said that the Wilders era is over. Well, brace yourself, I'm just getting started."

Frans Timmermans resigns as party leader of GroenLinks-PvdA